Can I use the manual lane when exiting the highway during the free period if I entered via ETC?
2 Answers
During the highway free period, you can enter via the ETC lane and exit through the manual lane. How ETC works: Through the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield, dedicated short-range communication is established with the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station. This utilizes computer networking technology to perform backend settlement processing with the bank, allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping while still paying the required fees. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, maintain a distance of over 10 meters to prevent automatic sensing and payment for the vehicle ahead, in case its ETC device is faulty or nonexistent. The ETC lane recognizes vehicle speeds up to 20 km/h. Driving too fast may prevent the device from reading vehicle information, leading to failed fee deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, may cause the tag to malfunction. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or to a highway service office for inspection. If the issue is not due to human error, reactivation may suffice. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may cause fee deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane, paying via cash or card. Excessively thick car windshields may cause poor signal reception. This is particularly relevant for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those with modified front windshields.
I often drive long distances, and during the toll-free periods on highways, such as holidays, it's completely fine to enter via ETC and exit through a manual lane. The toll-free policy applies to all small passenger vehicles, and toll station staff manually check whether the vehicle type qualifies for the exemption rather than deducting fees. So, there's no need to worry about ETC records or system errors. Once, my ETC suddenly malfunctioned, but I still exited through a manual lane. The staff took a glance and let me pass, even reminding me that traffic is heavy during the toll-free period. By the way, this situation is quite common, especially during peak traffic hours when manual lanes might be faster—even if ETC lanes are empty. Manual lanes offer more flexibility for safety or unexpected malfunctions. During toll-free periods, it's important to ensure all vehicle documents are complete to avoid disputes. Above all, safe driving comes first.
